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Sunday, March 01, 2015

Cincinnati, OH -- It wasn't at home, but there's no doubt that Jay Wright and the rest of his coaching staff and his team will take it.

Dylan Ennis posted 16
points, five rebounds and five assists and No. 6 Villanova went
into Cintas Center and knocked off Xavier 78-66 to win its 10th straight
game.

Ryan Arcidiacono had 15 points and Kris Jenkins went
4-for-7 from distance for 14 for Villanova (27-2, 14-2 Big East), which
wrapped up the Big East regular- season crown for the second consecutive year with Saturday's win.

The Wildcats had already earned a first-round bye in the Big East
Tournament at Madison Square Garden, which will take place from March
11-14.

Jalen Reynolds made all six of his shots to lead
Xavier with 15 points, and Trevon Bluiett netted 12. Dee Davis tallied
seven points, nine assists and six rebounds in the setback.

Xavier (18-12, 8-9) had won nine of its last 11 games at home against ranked opponents.

The Musketeers led by as many as nine early in the second half before Villanova charged back. The Wildcats trailed 54-53 just past the midway point when Jenkins
got hot, sinking two 3-pointers before the under-8 media timeout. Out
of the huddle, Phil Booth hit from deep to extend Villanova's lead to
62-57.

Arcidiacono then drilled a 3 and went 2-for-3 from
the foul line after drawing a foul. Josh Hart's triple on the next
trip down gave 'Nova an 11- point advantage.

Jenkins and
Daniel Ochefu, who finished with 10 points and eight rebounds, both
made two from the line in the final 1:13 to seal the win.

"They're as good as any team in the country," Xavier head coach Chris Mack said of Villanova.

Xavier got a boost from its reserves in the first half. Reynolds,
James Farr and J.P. Macura came off the bench and scored a combined 18
points on 7-for-7 shooting to help the Musketeers to a 40-33 halftime
lead.

Notes: Villanova forward JayVaughn Pinkston played despite accusations
that he violated his probation on Friday. Pinkston was involved in an
altercation at an off-campus party in 2010 and was suspended for the
entire 2010-11 season ... Villanova upped its record to 4-0 in the series since
Xavier joined the Big East ... Villanova scored 20 points off 14
turnovers.